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First published in 1950, La nevrose d'abandon was and still is a ground-breaking work. The author's research turns on two clinical observations: the frequent occurrence of analysands whose neurotic symptoms are unrecognizable when measured against any of the Freudian diagnostic models, and the relatively large number of these patients who sought help from her, having already undergone thorough classically Freudian treatments with analysts whose abilities were never in question, but whose efforts did nothing to relieve patient suffering. What all these subjects had in common, the author observed, were extme and debilitating feelings of abandonment, insecurity and lack of self-worth, originally ignited by severe pre-oedipal trauma. Having described the neurosis of abandonment, The author goes on to outline every diagnostic tool and treatment methodology, developed over many years, which can be deployed in the successful and lasting eradication of this pervasive neurosis.

Childhood separation and loss have become virtually a way of life for a large number of children throughout the world. Children separated from their genetic parent(s) and consequently their genealogical, social and cultural roots due to processes such as adoption, parental divorce/separation, donor insemination, single parenthood by choice and child trafficking can face social, emotional and psychological difficulties.This book explores the premise that a proper understanding of the complex inner world of modern day separated children and their psycho-social development requires a shift in focus or emphasis. It presents the notion of socio-genealogical connectedness as a new theoretical framework for studying and promoting these children's growth and development. This new theory simultaneously challenges and complements existing notions of psycho-social development, including attachment theory and Erikson's psycho-social theory of personality development. Owusu-Bempah proposes that this sense of socio-genealogical connectedness is an essential factor in children's adjustment to separation and their emotional and mental health; much like those adopted, separated children suffer a loss of genealogical continuity, and hence, loss of'self'. This hypothesis is discussed and ultimately supported through both the author's own research and a broad selection of theoretical and empirical material from other areas.The book further considers the implications of this notion of socio-genealogical connectedness for childcare policy and practice, as well as directions for future research in this and related fields. Children and Separation is an invaluable resource for academics, students and childcare professionals. The accessible style of the book ensures that it will also be useful to parents and anybody affected by childhood separation.

Publikace Psychické deprivace v dětství J. Langmeiera a Z. Matějčka zaznamenala již po svém prvním vydání v r. 1963 značný ohlas. Průlomová práce, ve které autoři citují díla západních expertů i výsledky z vlastní praxe s ohroženými dětmi, popisuje pojem psychické deprivace u dětí v ústavní péči a nepříznivých rodinných poměrech. Metodologicky důkladné dílo se nezastavuje u odborného posouzení problému, ale klade do popředí zájmy dítěte a humanistický přístup. Oba autoři se u nás významně zasloužili o to, aby se péče o opuštěné děti sestávala z vhodné kombinace péče ústavní a podporované péče rodinné či pěstounské. Ovlivnili též zakládání prvních SOS dětských vesniček. Psychická deprivace v dětství je stále doporučovanou základní literaturou pro studenty psychologie, pedagogiky a sociologie, ocení ji však každý, kdo se věnuje problematice ohrožených dětí. Čtvrté vydání díla je opatřeno předmluvou profesorky Vágnerové a aktualizovaným výběrem literatury k tématu.